Heritage Action Forums

For me, it has to be Carnac in France



I first visited Carnac in the early 1990's and was simply astounded by the place, it's sheer size and the usual question of "why?

I spent a lovely summers afternoon just wondering around between the stones. I then went back there some 10 years later and they had fenced the whole area off with the grass growing so tall (no sheep to graze it) that the stones were seemingly dissappearing. I hope they have removed the fence and let the place shine in all its prehistoric glory once more.

So, what's your favorite site and why?

We've had this conversation many times in another place

Mine will always be Boscawen-Un, not for how it is now, all neatly trimmed, but for how I first saw it, hidden in a dense blanket of shoulder-high gorse with the stones just peeking out of the top.

Megas, I've not been to Carnac but I understand the number of visitors is quite high. Is there obvious erosion damage, do they do certain things we could learn from in this country?

Last time it was fenced off with horrible chain link fence that just looked awful and spoilt the place. Prior to that it was open to the public and from memory, there was no erosion. Yes there are a lot of visitors but the sheer size of the place keeps them dispersed around the site so the footfall per metre square is very light.

Hmm, must go back there some time and sit there with a ham and cheese baguette to enjoy under the sun.

Another favorite of mine is Nympsfield long Barrow. It's near to the Nympsfield gliding club where I occasionally used to fly so got to know the area on visits.



The barrow itself is not that impressive but the setting is.



Its right on the very edge of the Cotswold edge and the views across the Severn estuary into Wales beyond truly ethereal on the right day. You can see how such a prominence must have drawn ancient peoples and you can easily imagine the mystery of a burial ceremony as groups gathered to bury their dead in this place that even back then, held some sort of special place in peoples hearts and minds. There are numerous barrows along this stretch of the Cotwsold edge and not only does the place make a good venue for historicla interest but if you like walks, this is a place to add to your bucket list.

Its a nice site, but would be nicer without the carpark!Soldier's grave is well worth a shufty if you happen to be this way again. Of course you;d be more likely to find me at Hetty Peggler's Tump, especially now its been repaired and re-opened. I've not been since before it shut, but love it there....

juamei wrote:Its a nice site, but would be nicer without the carpark!Soldier's grave is well worth a shufty if you happen to be this way again. Of course you;d be more likely to find me at Hetty Peggler's Tump, especially now its been repaired and re-opened. I've not been since before it shut, but love it there....

Uley is good (in fact superb) but you don't get the view or atmosphere that you get at Nympsfield and it's the same view as the ancients had so I find it more engaging mentally. I wonder how many other burials and barrows there were there along the ridge that have long since been ploughed away?